Fighting Cancer with Ulvan Seaweed Extract.

Ulvan extract from Ulva seaweed can help in the fight against cancer.

Seaweed polysaccharides can promote the production of cancer necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by activating macrophages (Mφ), T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes, and regulate the immune system, thus indirectly playing an anti-cancer effect.

Traditional Chinese medicine seaweed mainly contains seaweed polysaccharides, sodium alginate and seaweed polyphenols. In recent years, experiments have confirmed that seaweed polysaccharides have immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant and anticoagulant activities, among which the anti-cancer pharmacological activity is more prominent. It has a certain therapeutic effect on lung cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other malignant cancers. Seaweed (Ulvan) polysaccharide is one of the important active components of traditional Chinese medicine seaweed. The well-known fucoidan, agarose, carrageenan, alginic acid, ulvan, and fucoidan all belong to seaweed polysaccharide. Seaweed polysaccharides play an anti-cancer effect by regulating immune mechanisms, inducing apoptosis, blocking cell cycle progression, regulating transduction signal pathways, inhibiting cancer cell invasion and metastasis, inhibiting angiogenesis and antioxidant activity. Seaweed belongs to the same plant of medicine and food. Taking more seaweed food in daily life can enhance the immunity of the body and play a role in preventing the occurrence of cancer. At present, chemotherapy is the main treatment for malignant cancers, but the curative effect is limited by systemic toxicity and drug resistance of cancer cells. Using Ulva and Ulvan has the advantages of safety and little side effects, and can be used as an alternative therapy for cancer treatment. It is time we took a closer look at Ulva and its anti-cancer effects and laid a foundation for the further development and clinical application of seaweed polysaccharides. 

Cancer is the second-most commonly occurring disease that threatens human health and life worldwide. By 2020, approximately 10 million people worldwide will die of cancer, and it is estimated that the number of cancer deaths will increase to approximately 13.1 million by 2030. The occurrence of cancer is related to many factors, among which low immunity is an important factor in the occurrence and development of cancer. In general, the immune system of the body can recognize and eliminate “non-self” cells and maintain the stability of the internal environment in the body. However, when the immunity is low, or some cells acquire the ability to evade monitoring by the immune system of the body, they survive, continue to grow, and eventually form malignant tumors. This process includes three stages: immune clearance, immune balance, and immune escape. Tumors can escape immune surveillance in the body. It is essential to use immunotherapy to reverse immune escape and restore the ability of the body to recognize and remove tumor cells.

Polysaccharides are natural immune regulators representing a current research hotspot. Polysaccharides derived from seaweed Ulvan, and alginate are widely used for the clinical treatment of tumours. Currently, the anti-tumour effects of polysaccharides mainly include two aspects: the indirect killing of tumor cells via the regulation of the immune system or direct killing of tumour cells via the induction of differentiation or apoptosis in tumour cells. Recently, however, it has been found that the direct anti-tumour activity of polysaccharides is relatively weak. Through immunomodulation, the indirect killing of tumour cells has a better effect than the direct killing of tumour cells.

In summary, polysaccharides have broad development and application prospects in cancer prevention and treatment. It mainly facilitates the indirect killing of tumour cells through immune regulation, thereby inhibiting tumour growth.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and seaweed

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAEE) is a non-conventional method that combines enzymatic and ultrasound techniques to treat biomass, particularly seaweed. This method is characterised by a high degree of variability due to numerous factors affecting the ultrasonic and enzymatic processes, such as wave frequency, amplitude, power, sonotrode tip area, treated mass, treatment time, pH, solid-liquid ratio, and the application of batch or continuous processes.

Recent studies have focused on designing and reporting experiments and processes involving UAEE of seaweed, with a particular emphasis on ultrasound-specific parameters like ultrasonic intensity and energy input. These parameters are crucial for comparing different processes and identifying the most promising ones for extracting valuable compounds from seaweed.

Optimised UAEE conditions have been shown to significantly improve the extraction yields of phlorotannins, flavonoids, total phenolics, and associated antioxidant activities from various brown seaweed species. The highest recovery of total phenolics and total phlorotannins was obtained from Fucus vesiculosus seaweed, while the lowest recovery was from Laminaria digitata seaweed.

Overall, UAEE is an effective, low-cost, and eco-friendly technique for recovering biologically active polyphenols from seaweed, offering a greener alternative to traditional extraction methods. 

Extracts from gut weed (scientific name Ulva intestinalis, a green seaweed) that show antibiotic activity are mainly Ulvan (a sulfated polysaccharide) and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and fatty acids. These substances have been studied for their ability to inhibit bacterial growth, particularly against gram-positive bacteria.

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